Food handling apparatus



July 14, 1936. H. L.. JcJHNsTONv FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS4 Filed May 27,1951 5 SheeKQS-Sllee4 l 1&4

July 14, 1936. H. L JOHNSTON 2,047,476

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lao` n I* jL" I 3 /f [63 l I l /"`\.f= l `l l l l Till I' 222v 50' /4 l', w .l i lI9/ 2/5 2.!6 f 220 Z2, 4 i' o,

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INVENTOR MSK/JW BY Magi 7%;

ATTORNEY July v14, 1936. H, L', JOHNSTQN 2,947,476

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Filed May 27, 1931 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 14 1936 i I t IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 2,047,476 FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Herbert L.Johnston, Troy, Ohio, assignor to The vHobart Manufacturing Company,Troy, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application May 27, 1931, Serial No. 540,281 11Claims. (Cl. 14S- 102) This invention relates to food handling appara-Fig. 6 is a plan view of the scraper arm of Fig. 4 tus, and moreparticularly to slicing machines. detached from the other parts;

One of the principal objects of the invention Fig. 7 is a side view ofthe scraper arm of is to provide apparatus of this character which Fig.6; is simple in construction, is highly effective in Fig. 8 is a planview of the scraper edge re- 5 operation, is sturdy and has long life,is sanitary tainer and scraper blade of Fig. 4, these parts and easilycleaned, and is safely and readily operbeing detached from the remainingparts of the ated and controlled. scraper mechanism; and

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 9 is a side view ofthe parts of Fig. 8.Y 10 apparatus of this character with highlyeffective Referring to the drawings, in which is disclosed 10 knifescraping and cleaning means, which is a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the nusimple in construction, substantially noiseless inmeral li'i indicatesthe base of the machine which operation, and whichis adapted to adhere to the is illustrated as a casting, generallyIeC'engU-lel knife edge to give satisfactory scraping while in shape.The base Il] carries a raised portion v conforming to any irregularitiesin the surface of or upwardly extending rectangular extending' 15 theknife during rotation thereof, portion I4 upon which is mounted anelectric stm another object of the invention is to promotor l5 and gearhousing I6 Carrying shaftne vide a machine of this character with asimple and gearing OI IOteteky SupDOIting and driving and effectiveconstruction and mounting of the a IOtery disk knife 30. Mounted 0n thebase on scraper mechanism in association with other the rear side of theknife 3u is a slice receiving 20 parts of the machine so as to protectthe mechatiny |40; and edl'lls'ably mounted On the base at nism fromundue exposure while giving ready the Side O the knife S e gege plete 93fOr Yeguaccessibility thereto, to provide a sanitary arlating thethickness of the slices being cut. A rangement in which the particlesremoved by the suitable meat supporting Carriage S mounted 0n scraperare properly accumulated for easy re- Suitable tracks for reciprocationback and forth 25 moval, and to provide at the same time supacross thefront side of the knife; but as these ports for guards associated withthe knife by parts form n0 part of the invention claimed means of thescraper mounting. herein, they are not shown.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- The knife is of the usualcircular disk type with tion will be apparent from the followingdescripa beveled portion 32 on the rear face forming a 30 tion, theaccompanying drawings, and the apperipheral cutting edge, and has acircular recess pended claims. 33 in the front face thereof to receivethe guard This is a continuation in part of my copending plate 3i. Theouter surface of the guard plate application Serial No. 422,746, filedJanuary 23, 3B preferably lies in a vertical plane slightly back 35 1930for Food handling apparatus and which beof the vertical plane of thecutting edge of the 35 came Patent No. 1,944,181 on January 23, 1934.knife. This guard is generally circular in shape In the drawings, inwhich like characters of as shown in Fig. l, but is provided at thelower reference are used to denote like parts through portion thereofwith an outwardly extending the several views thereofange |68 seating`upon a bracket |69 which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatusbridges across from, and is fastened to, the upper constructed inaccordance with this invention, surface of the box iill and theupstanding ange the view being taken from the front side of the i byscrews |12. The upper portion of the machine with the meat supportingcarriage and guard plate 34 is provided with an offset ange relatedmechanism removed; |13 which is fastened by screws |13 to a cooper- Fig.2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the ating portion of a coverplate l'll, which is in 45 plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;' turnprovided with outwardly extending lugs |15 Fig. 3 is a detail verticalsectional view on an and |16 which respectively cooperate withoutenlarged scale of the scraper mechanism, mountwardly extending lugs|11 and |18 formed on a V ing therefor and related parts, the view beinggrinder casing |19 seating on top of the housing 00 taken substantiallyon the plane of the line 3--3 I6. Thumb screws |83 and |8| pass through50 of Fig. 2; openings in the lugs |11 and |18 and thread with- Fig.llisaview similar to Fig. 3 showingasomein a bore within the rearsurfaces of the lugs what modied form of scraper mechanism; |15 and |16to removably fasten the cover |14 to Fig, 5 is a plan view of thesupporting bracket grinder casing |19. The bracket |69 is provided 5.5of Fig. 4, detached from the other parts; with spaced openings lll andllil through which A properly centered pass threaded dowel pins and |'IIrespectively, the pins having upper hexagonal flanges or integralcollars |82 and are fastened in place by locking nuts |82 threaded onthe dowel pins beneath the bracket, the collars |82 engaging cooperatingshoulders |69' formed on the bracket to prevent the dowels from turningas the nuts |82 are tightened to rigidly fasten the dowels in position.The upper ends of the dowel pins are tapered to receive spaced openings|61 and |51" formed through the flange 558 to properly position theguard plate S with reference to the front face of the knife 3i). Theguard plate 3i is thus rigidly fastened at spaced points at its upperend to a xed part of the machine; and the dowels and may be adjustedwith reference to the bracket |63 by loosening the lock nuts |82 topermit horizontal shifting of the pins within the openings and |78'which are of substantially larger diameter than the exterior diameter ofthe pins, the lock nuts |82 being then retightened to hold the pins inadjusted position. The arrangement is such that a rigid support is alsoprovided at spaced points at the lower'end of the guard plate, so thatwhen the thumb screws |30 and |8| are tightened to clamp the cover |14in position, the guard is rigidly and securely clamped in position andwithin the recess 33 of the front face of the knife 33 but out ofcontact with the knife; while ready removability of the guard plate isafforded merely by the removal of the thumb screws ISU and |8|.

The edge of the knife opposite to that at which the slicing is performedis provided with an arcuate channel-shaped guard member |83 which isformed at its upper end with an outwardly extending lug |34 having anopening through which passes the thumb screw |8| to hold this end of theguard in xed position, and is provided at its lower end with anoutwardly extending lug |85 having an opening through which passes athumb screw |85 threading within a bore formed in an upwardly extendinglug I8? of the bracket |39.

Threaded into the under side of bracket |59 is a bolt |99 on which ispivotally mounted a bearing lug i 9| formed integral with an outwardlyextending arm |32 to which is fastened at its outer end a scraping blade|94, which is adapted to bear against the peripheral plane surface ofthe forward side of the knife to maintain the same properly cleaned. Thescraper blade |94 is yieldingly urged into engagement with the knifeedge by means of a coil spring |95, one end of which is fastened to thebracket |69 and the other end of which is attached to the arrn |92 asindicated at |95 in a manner to act resiliently against this pivotedarm.

Positioned beneath the knife is a crumb pan 2| 5. This pan is providedwith a rear wall 2|6, side walls 2H and 2|8, and a bottom 2|9, the frontof the pan being open. A handle 220 is attached to the bottom wal1'2l9.A stop or bead .512| (of which two are shown, one at each side of thescrap pan) normally retains the scrap pan in position, but the handlepermits of lifting the pan over the beads so that it may be removedsideways (away from the plane of the knife) from between the box 53 andflange |66 at the front side of the machine. The rear wall 2|6 of thescrap pan is provided with a flange portion 222 formed to approximatethe curvature of the knife and to closely approach the knife to thuseffectivelyreceive scraps, or the like, from the knife face. It alsoacts, when in position, as a guard for the knife edge. As shown thisflange 222 is extended beneath the knife and curved to conform with itsedge and is also, preferably, inclined downwardly toward the pan toassist in directing material into the scrap pan.

The scraper |94 is thus mounted in a protected position beneath thebracket |69 which bridges the gap between the upstanding spacedprojections 59' and |06 on the base, the scraper being at the same timereadily accessible for cleaning or removal. The upstanding projectionsform guides or slides for the reception of the removable crumb scrap pan2|5 which is positioned beneath the bracket |69 and the scraper |95. Theprojections '.53' and |00 extend upwardly to a height such that thebracket |69 extends across the front face of the knife above the loweredge thereof, so that the scraper mounted beneath the bracket on thedownwardly depending pivot pin is brought into proper position foreffective scraping action of the peripheral edge of the front face cfthe knife. The bracket |69 forming a mounting for the scraper also pro-Vides a mounting for securing the lower portion of the front guard plate34 in position, and also the lower portion of the annular guard |83. Aneconomical compact arrangement and mounting of the parts is therebyprovided, while at the same time these parts and their securing mea-nsare rendered accessible for easy removal.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 to 9, a somewhat modified form ofscraper mechanism for the face of the knife is illustrated. In thisform, a bracket |89 bridges across the front face of the knife 30between the projections 5B and EES', and forms a support for the lowerportion of the front guard 34 and the annular guard |33' in the mannerpreviously described. Intermediate the ends of the bracket, a threadedbore SI5 is provided adapted for the attachment of the scraper for theedge of the front face of the knife. The lower portion of the bracketabout the bore 3|5 is provided with a flat face 366 against whichportions of the scraper mechanism abut. Extending inwardly from thelower face 3|S are four diametrically opposed sockets 3|8 arrangedconcentrically about the bore 3|5.

Abutting against the lower face 3|6 is a. retainer cap 32E) having abore 32| in its head or cap portion 322 positioned in alignment with thebore 3|5, and receiving the stem portion 335 of a pivot pin 335 having areduced threaded end 33'! fastened in the bore 3|5. The cap 322 is alsoprovided with a small opening to be positioned in alignment with one ofthe sockets 3|8. The lower edge 324 of the open ended retainer cap 32|)is rotatably received within a peripheral groove 325 formed on the upperface of a scraper arm 326, which as shown is constructed as a castinghaving a body portion of cylindrical form through which a bore 321extends, this bore loosely receiving the stem portion 333 of the pivotpin. The upper flat face 328 of the body portion within the peripheralflange 325 is provided with a small hole or socket 329 adapted toreceive one end 330 of a coil spring 33| positioned about the pivot pinand enclosed by the retainer cap 32|) so as to be protected against theingress of water, meat particles and the like. The other end 332 of thespring passes through the opening 323 in the cap 326 and is adapted tobe inserted in one of the sockets 3|3 in the body of the supportingbracket |69.

323 adapted n assembling, the end 330 of the spring 33| is rst securedin place in the hole 329 of the scraper arm 326. The cap 32D is thenpressed over this spring so that the end 332 of the spring passesthrough the hole 323. The cap with spring attached is then turned andthe projecting end 332 of the spring enters into the appropriate socket3I8 to provide the proper spring tension on the scraper assembly. Thestud 335 is then inserted upwardly from beneath the scraper arm 326through the aligned bores. The shoulder 338 formed on the stud isadapted to contact with the bottom of the bracket |69 as the stud isthreadedly tightened in position. The length of the cylindrical portion336 of the stud is slightly greater than the combined lengths of theretainer cap 320 and the cylindrical portion 326 of the scraper arm, sothat the scraper arm is thus provided with a free pivotal mounting on anaxis which is spaced from but is generally parallel to the plane ofrotation of the knife. The scraper arm is thus free to swing beneath thebracket toward and away fro-m the knife, and is spring pressed towardthe knife by the spring 33|. The tension of the spring can be readilyadjusted by loosening the pin 335 so as to permit the scraper assemblyto be lowered to withdraw the end 332 of the spring 33| from one of thesockets 3|8, grasping the retainer cap 326 between the fingers andturning the same, to bring the end 332 into alignment with anothersocket, raising the assembly to cause the insertion of this spring endinto another of the sockets to pro-vide the desired spring tension, andthen tightening the pin 335 to clamp the assembly in place. For thispurpose, it is noted that the retainer cap is mounted for free rotationrelative to the bracket |59' and also relative to the scraper arm 326,the interconnection between the retainer cap and the spring beingprovided by the passage of the end of the spring through the opening 323in the cap. The construction is such that the spring is enclosed andprotected against injury and the entry of meat juices and scraps, whileat the same time easy adjustment of the tension of the scraper isafforded.

The scraper arm 326 is provided with an integral extension 346 whichextends horizontally from the cylindrical body portion, and the end ofthis extension terminates in a substantially cylindrical integralportion 34| having a ilat forward face 342. Projecting outwardly fromthis forward face 342 is a pivot pin or stud 343 which may also beformed integrally with the scraper arm. The pivot pin 343 .is providedwith a longitudinally extending threaded bore 344. Pivotally mounted onthe pin 343 is a scraper edge retainer 345, which may also be formed asa metal casting as shown. This member is provided with a cylindricalportion 346 having a bore 341 extending therethrough adapted to bereceived loosely upon the pin 343. This scraper edge retainer is held inplace by a screw 348 having a threaded end which is threadedly receivedwithin the bore 344, a suitable washer 348 being positioned between thehead of the screw and the end of the stud 343 to overlie the planesurfaced end of the cylindrical portion 346 of the scraper edge retainerto hold the same in place. The length of the cylindrical portion 346 ofthe retainer 345 is somewhat less than the length of the stem of the pin343, so that the screw and washer bear rigidly against the end of thepin 343, leaving a free pivotal mounting on this member for the scraperedge retainer 345. This provides a pivotal axis for relative movement ofthe scraper edge retainer with respect to the scraper arm 326 which isarranged at substantially right angles to the pivotal axis of thescraper arm.

The member 345 is also provided with an integral extending flattenedportion 350 adapted to extend adjacent the face of the knife 30 at anangle thereto. The knife-Ward portion of this extension 350 is providedwith a flat groove 352 having a rear shoulder 353, and a at scraperblade 354 is attached thereto as by means of rivets 355. The scraperblade is preferably formed of a fibrous composition, and may be a ratherrigid blade having a thickness of about le of an inch. The forwardscraping edge 356 of the blade is shown as beveled at an angle ofapproximately 30. The construction described provides a substantiallynoiseless scraping blade which is held in effective scraping engagementwith the front face of the knife under a yielding force, while at thesame time being free to rock or tilt relative to the scraper arm inresponse to irregularities in the face of the knife, or to anyirregularities of rotation of this face due to slight eccentricity r thelike. The spring tension on the scraper arm tends to hold the scraperblade and retainer in such position that the scraping edge of the bladeis maintained flush with the face of the knife. However, should thescraping edge encounter irregularities, it is free to rock or tiltrelative to the scraper arm to automatically accommodate itself to suchirregularities without imposing any undue strain on the parts. Thescraper blade 354 is preferably formed from a fibrous compositionimpregnated with a greaseproong material, such as a resinous brouscomposition, so that the blade is resistant to grease and will notbecome saturated with meat juices and softened during use. Acomparatively thick rigid brous blade is used in order to avoidobjections inherent in exceedingly thin blades Whose edges tend tosoften and flow somewhat due to heat and friction resulting from contactwith the rapidly rotating surface of the knife.

In order to retain the scraper retainer 345 and the scraper blade 354 inproper relationship with respect to the knife, as these parts are rockedaway from the knife upon rotation of the arm 326 against the action ofthe spring as for cleaning and the like, the free pivotal movement ofthe scraper edge retainer 345 about the pin 343 is limited. As shown, anupstanding pin 358 extends from one side of the projection or stud 343,and this pin is received within a cooperating socket 359 formed on theadjacent face of the cylindrical portion 346 of the scraper edgeretainer 345. As shown, the annular wall of the cylindrical portion 346is cut away over an angu.

lar range of about 35 to 40 degrees so as to receive the pin 358.Consequently the scraper edge retainer is free to pivot about the stud343 only to the extent of the angular range permitted by the socketportion 359. The result is that the beveled edge 356 of the scraperblade is at all times maintained facing toward the rotary knife, so thatwhen the scraper assemblyis released and consequently swung back towardthe knife due to the action of the spring 33|, the scraper edge retainerand scraper blade will be automatically returned into proper scrapingengagement with the knife face.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of the invensoA tion, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus and thatchanges may be made therein without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slicing machine, a base, a rotary knife having a recessed frontface mounted on said base, a. bracket supported on said base andextending across the front face of said knife at the lower portionthereof above the plane of the lower cutting edge, a guard for the frontface of said knife positioned within the recessed portion of the knife,said guard having an outwardly extending flange mounted on said bracket,and a scraper for the edge of the front face of said knife mountedbeneath said bracket.

2. In a slicing machine, a base having spaced upward projections, arotary slicing knife mounted on said base, a bracket bridging andsupported on said projections extending across the front face of saidknife, a scraper for the front face of said knife carried by saidbracket, and a scrap pan slidably positioned between said projectionsbeneath said bracket and scraper for removal sideways at the front sideof said machine.

3. In a slicing machine, a base, a rotary knife mounted thereon, spacedupward projections carried by, said base, a bracket bridging andsupported on said projections extending across the front face of saidknife above the lower edge of the knife, and a scraper mounted on thesaid bracket on the under side thereof in scraping relation with theedge of the front face of the knife.

4. In a slicing machine, a base having spaced upward projections, arotary generally vertical slicing knife mounted on said base, a bracketbridging and supported on said projections extending across the frontface of said knife above the lower edge thereof, a pivot pin dependingdownwardly from the under side of said bracket, a scraper for the frontface of said knife pivotally mounted on said pin to swing toward andaway from the face of the knife, and spring means for urging saidscraper into position adjacent the knife face.

5. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife, a scraper for the face ofsaid knife comprising a scraper arm pivotally mounted about an axis forswinging movement toward and away from the said knife face, spring meansfor urging said scraper arm toward the knife face, a scraper blademember pivotally connected to said arm about an axis arranged at anangle to the first mentioned axis so that the scraper blade member ismounted to rock relatively to the scraper arm in response toirregularities of the knife face during rotation thereof, and means tolimit the rocking movement of the scraper member relative to the armwhen the arm is swung about its axis to remove the scraper blade memberfrom the face of the knife, whereby the scraper blade member willautomatically return to proper scraping position with reference to theknife face as the arm and scraper blade member are swung back toward theknife.

6. In a slicing machine having a rotary disk knife, a supporting bracketmounted across the face of said knife, a pivot pin carried by thebracket and providing an axis spaced laterally from but generallyparallel to the plane of rotatation of the knife, a scraper armpivotally mounted on said pin to swing toward or away from the knifeface, a scraper blade retainer pivotally mounted on said arm about anaxis arranged at an angle to the first mentioned axis so that thescraper blade retainer is free to rock relatively to the arm in responseto irregularities of the knife face during rotation thereof, asubstantially rigid ber scraping blade fixedly carried by said retainerso as to normally rest at an angle to the knife face with the scrapingedge of the blade in contact with the knife face, and spring means forurging said arm toward the knife to yieldingly press said scraper bladeagainst the knife face.

7. In a slicing machine having a generally vertical rotary disk knife, agenerally horizontal supporting bracket mounted across the face of saidknife above the lower edge thereof, a pivot pin depending downwardlyfrom the under side of said bracket and providing an axis spacedlatererally from but generally parallel to the plane of rotation cf theknife, a scraper arm pivotally mounted on said pin to swing toward andaway from the knife face, a scraper blade retainer pivotally mounted onsaid arm about an axis arranged at substantially right angles to thefirst mentioned axis so that the scraper blade retainer is free to rockrelatively to the arm in response to irregularities of the knife faceduring rotation thereof, a scraper blade carried by said retainer so asto normally rest at an angle to the knife face with the scraping edge ofthe blade in contact therewith, and means to limit the extent of rockingmovement of the scraper blade retainer and scraper blade relative to thescraper arm.

8. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife, a supporting member, ascraper for the face of said knife having a substantially non-yieldingscraper arm, a pivotal mounting for said scraper arm on said supportingmember arranged to provide for swinging movement of said scraper towardor away from the face of the knife, a spring positioned about saidpivotal mounting, one end of said spring being attached to said scraperarm, said supporting member having a plurality of sockets thereinarranged concentrically about said pivotal mounting, the other end ofthe spring being adapted to be received in one of said sockets, andmeans for turning said latter end of the spring to position the said endin one or another of said sockets to vary the tension of the spring andthereby vary the yielding force with which the scraper is held againstthe knife face.

9. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife, a supporting member, ascraper for the face of said knife, a pivotal mounting for said scraperon said supporting member arranged to provide for swinging movement ofsaid scraper toward or away from the face of the knife, a springpositioned about said pivotal mounting, one end of said spring beingattached to said scraper, said supporting member having a plurality ofsockets therein arranged concentrically about said pivotal mounting, theother end of the spring being adapted to be received in one of saidsockets, a cap member enclosing said spring rotatably mounted withrespect to said supporting member and said scraper, said cap memberhaving an opening receiving said pivotal mounting and another openingreceiving the end of said spring which cooperates with the sockets insaid supporting member, the construction being such that turning saidcap member turns the said end of the spring for insertion into anothersocket to vary the tension of the spring.

10. In a slicing machine having a rotary disk knife, a supportingbracket extending across the face of said knife, a pivot pin carried bysaid bracket, a coil spring surrounding said pivot pin, an open endedcap member having a centrally arranged opening in the cap portionthereof loosely receiving said pivot pin and another opening in the capportion through which one end of said coil spring extends, said brackethaving a plurality of sockets concentrically arranged about said pivotpin to receive this extended end of the spring, and a scraper memberrotatably mounted on said pivot pin and having an engaging surface forrotatably receiving the open end of said cap member to close the sameand thereby enclose the spring, said scraper member being attached tothe other end of the coil spring, whereby turning of the cap memberrelatively to the supporting bracket and the scraping member turns theextended end of the spring for insertion into another socket to vary thetension of the spring.

11. In a slicing machine having a generally vertical rotary disk knife,a generally horizontal supporting bracket mounted across the face of theknife above the lower edge thereof, a pivot pin depending downwardlyfrom the under side of said bracket, a coil spring mounted about saidpivot pin, a cap member positioned about said pivot pin and spring, ascraper arm pivotally mounted about said pivot pin for swinging movementtoward and away from the face of said knife, said cap member and scraperarm enclosing said coil spring, a scraper blade retainer pivotallymounted on said scraper arm about a generally horizontal axis, a scraperblade carried by said scraper blade retainer having a scraping edgeadapted to contact with the front face of said knife, means forconnecting said spring to urge said scraper arm and scraper bladeretainer with scraper carried thereby toward the face of said knife andfor varying the tension in said spring, and means for interconnectingsaid spring and said cap member so that a simple turning of the capmember effects adjustment of the ten- 20 sion in said spring.

HERBERT L. JOHNSTON.

